Friday, 30 January 2015

La Passacaglia progress

I've been working on la passacaglia for 5 weeks now and this is what I've achieved in that time. I was on holiday for most of that time so I don't expect to achieve this much every 5 weeks.

I'm really pleased with my progress, but can see that it's going to take at least the rest of this year to make this quilt. I don't mind that - I always knew a hand pieced quilt would take a long time.

There are 2 main reasons why it's slow going:

1. choosing the fabrics is very time consuming (for me at least). I plan out a rosette, but after I've stitched a row I change my mind about what fabric I want to use next. I building up quite a little pile of cut pieces that haven't been used yet. I'm learning not to cut too far in advance, and just wait and see what will work as it grows. I also think it helps to have 2 rosettes on the go at once and I can swap between them while I think about the fabrics to use.

2. Hand stitched glue basted pieces is not easy. I'm finding it quite hard on my hands and I can't stitch for long periods of time. I still much prefer the glue basting to hand basting, so will just keep going slowly.

Unfortunately my mind is working way ahead of my hands, and I keep dreaming up great fabric combinations that I'm afraid I will forget. My sewing table is covered in piles of fabric which I intend to use in due course.

Interestingly, these were my initial fabric selections for this quilt.

I've used a five of these fabrics so far, but it's the overall look of the Kaffe Fassett Millefiori in the background that I'm trying to achieve, and I think I'm going OK with that.

In case you're feeling tempted and wondering how to join this craze, I ordered the book, templates and paper pieces from Paperpieces.com in USA. Think long and hard before you decide to start though - it's occupying every spare moment of my time at present.

Oh, and there's a facebook group now too for those making the quilt
- Millefiori/ La Passacaglia English Paper PiecingYou need to ask to join, but they are a friendly and supportive bunch.

29 comments:

thanks for showing photos of all you ordered from paper pieces. I mentioned that when I got my book it was damaged and they sent me a new copy that I got today. I was looking it over and will order my templates and paper in the next couple days. I was on the facebook group but accidentally took myself off of it LOL - such a klutz. I will rejoin later after I get started. I am almost done with the main applique project I have been working on and I want to wait to start this quilt until I am done with that top at least.

Can you take photos or record your fabric selection ideas in your notebook? Sometimes I take a philosophical approach - if it is a good idea, I will remember it - and HOPE that I just forget the second-rate ideas.

I love your blocks! This is going to be stunning! I just ordered my book today. I decided I had better look it over before diving all the way in!

I saw a video yesterday about stitching with the glue stick. It said not to get the glue too close to the fold of the fabric. A famous paper piecer did the video, but she was new to me. I think it was Sue Dilly? Hope that helps.

This is lovely! I just started my own Passacaglia quilt (haven't even finished one rosette yet) but I so empathize with your comments! I've already changed my mind about fabric several times, and also find that I can't stitch for too long or my hands get sore. The pieces are so tiny!

This pattern is so beautiful in the colors you chose! I just started with EPP three weeks ago and am far away from finishing this first project, but when I see your photos I already know what I would like to do next!